Dry sail marina

ABSTRACT

A dry sail marina is disclosed for storing small to moderately sized boats out of the water with means for transferring them automatically between storage points and the water. The marina is contained within a building having a center aisle extending the length thereof and a series of vertically stacked racks bounding each side of the aisle. Boats are stored in sling by boat cars housed in the racks. An overhead traveling crane with a hoist suspended track assembly rides along the center aisle between any storage point and the water side of the marina. The track assembly is adapted to connect with any rack and includes transport means for coupling to individual cars and wheeling them onto and off of the track assembly. To deliver a boat, the track assembly is connected up with the assigned rack and the transport means draws the car with boat in sling onto the track assembly. The loaded track assembly is then transported to the water by the overhead crane whereupon it is lowered and the boat is deposited in the water and released from its car. The crane then returns the boat car to the rack by a reverse procedure.

Dane, Jr.

1 1 Jan. 22, 1974 DRY SAIL MARINA [76] Inventor: Ernest B. Dane, Jr., 5 7 Tyler Rd.

Belmont, Mass. 02178 [22] Filed: Feb. 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 9,902

[52] US. Cl 214/164 A, 214/161 D, 104/100 [51] Int. Cl. B65g 1/06 [58] Field of Search ..214/16.11, 16.4 A, 16.4 B

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerRaymond B. Johnson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jack Larsen [5 7] ABSTRACT A dry sail marina is disclosed for storing small to moderately sized boats out of the water with means for transferring them automatically between storage points and the water. The marina is contained within a building having a center aisle extending the length thereof and a series of vertically stacked racks bounding each side of the aisle. Boats are stored in sling by boat cars housed in the racks. An overhead traveling crane with a hoist suspended track assembly rides along the center aisle between any storage point and the water side of the marina. The track assembly is adapted to connect with any rack and includes transport means for coupling to individual cars and wheeling them onto and off of the track assembly. To deliver a boat, the track assembly is connected up with the assigned rack and the transport means draws the car with boat in sling onto the track assembly. The loaded track assembly is then transported to the water by the overhead crane whereupon it is lowered and the boat is deposited in the water and released from its car. The crane then returns the boat car to the rack by a reverse procedure.

8 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3, 7 86, 942

SHEET t (If 7 lNVENTOA" Emmi 1'8. ifianrjk.

WWW W ATTORNEY PATENTED Z A 3.786842 saw an; 1

POWER Efiigurv H TRACK EXTENSION LOCOMOTIVE DRAWBAR LOCOAVAOTIVE ACT ATOR ACTUATOR 3 7 iguru 13 A POSITIONAL CABLE ENDLESS CONTROL CLUTCH gAw CABLE MOTOR 139 AR DRIVE ACTUATOR SHEAVES lNl/ENTOA IErnvat E. EmTmZJr.

WW 'W PAIimenmzz 3.786842 sum was '1v Zfigurvll Emmi IE. fianrjlr.

XW/YMK/WIXIL ATTORNEY INTRODUCTION The present invention relates to marinas and particularly to the dry sail type where boats are stored out of the water.

With the great increase in interest in boating, harbors are becoming so crowded that systems for dry sailing are becoming quite popular. The term dry sailing refers to the storage of boats on land except when they are in actual use. The term has come to mean, and is used herein to deonte, the equivalent of parking as the latter is used in the context of automobile garages and the like, to imply the temporary or long-term storage of boats on a seasonal or annual basis. Dry sailingis particularly adapted to the most popular types of crafts, small to moderately sized outboard and inboardoutboard motor boats. A marina designed for this purpose must accommodate a large number of boats and still make them readily available in any order desired, and to store them with equal ease.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a marina for drysailing that provides for easy and fast storage and removal of boats.

Another object is to provide a marina adapted to allow one operator to perform the storage and delivery functions.

Still another object is to provide a marina adapted to provide for the mechanized storage and removal of boats.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mar- I ina wherein boats may be stored and removed in any order.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION By way of summary, the objects of the invention are met by a dry sail marina comprising two series of vertically stacked racks, each rack housing a boat car adapted to carry a boat in sling, one series of racks abutting each side of a central aisle. Each rack has a pair of rails for supporting its car. A traveling crane rides along the central aisle between any storage point and the land side of the marina where boats are received, and the water side where they are deposited for use. A track assembly suspended by a hoist from the crane and containing rails adapted to align and link up with the rails of the racks is provided. The rails of the track assembly are disposed within facing bight por tions of two separated C-shaped members secured to the hoist. The track assembly also carries transport means adapted to couple up with individual boat cars and wheel them onto and off of the rails of the track assembly. To obtain a boat, the traveling crane vertically aligns with the stack of racks containing the desired boat. By operation of the hoist, the track assembly is lowered to the proper height and the rails of the track assembly are connected to those of the rack. The transport means then links up with the boat car and then hauls it out of the rack onto the track assembly. The suspended boat proceeds in sling through the opening in the C-members of the track assembly. Once loaded, the slung boat is transported down the central aisle by -the crane to a point over the water, whereupon the track assembly is lowered by the hoist until the boat rests in the water. The boat is then released from its 2 boat car and the latter is returned to its assigned rack by a reverse procedure.

The invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a partial view, partially cut-away, showing a crane, a rack assembly, and racks for storing boats abutting each side of the center aisle of the marina;

FIG. 2 is apartial section view taken upon the line .2-2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and shows a plurality of support column sets, each set bounding a stack of boat racks on one side of the aisle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an perspective view showing the water side of the marina and providing detail of the columns, crane, and track assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the manner of releasing boats into the water;

FIG. 4 is a partial view showing a connecting extension of one embodiment of the track assembly herein presented adapted to bridge the clearance gap between the track assembly and storage racks;

FIG. 5 is a partial view showing the transport means of the track assembly of FIGS. 1-4 embodied in a locomotive, and details of the front of a boat car, and the manner of coupling the locomotive to the car;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating end fittings adapted to guide the alignment of each of the rails of the rack assembly and individual racks of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the locomotive and boat car of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electrical control system for the operation of automated appartus incorporated by the crane and track assembly of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 9 is a partial vertical view of an alternative embodiment of the track assembly f0 FIGS. 1-7 employing diagonal cables activated by a differential gear assembly to move the track of the track assembly across the central aisle to join the racks;

FIG. 10 is a partial side view of the alternative track assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial top view illustrating fittings adapted to achieve the alignment of the ends of the rails of the track assembly and rack of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial cutaway view of th right side of the differential gear assembly of FIG. 9 illustrating the functional relationship between its principal components; and

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an electrical control system for the operation of automated apparatus incorporated by crane and track assembly of FIGS. 9-12.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate the principal components of the marina and their functional relationship in the storage of boats and their transport to and from the water. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, boats are stored preferably lengthwise in vertical spaces between a series of sets of structural columns 20. Columns of each set form a line or axis transversing the longitudinal axis of aisle 5, with columns of each set bearing like alpha-numeric designations of a progressive order, i.e., columns 20a are of one set columns 20b of an adjacent set, columns 200 of the next set, etc. The sets of columns follow aisle 5 down the length of the marina. The space between adjacent sets of columns 20 is sufficient to accommodate the beam of the largest boat to be stored. This space is vertically subdivided into subspaces, herein called racks, by a plurality of horizontal tracks 16. Such a track comprises a pair of parallel rails each of which is rigidly secured by brackets 15 to a set of columns on each side of aisle 5. The alphabetic designation of each rail corresponds to that of the column set to which it is affixed. Thus, a set of vertically separated horizontal rails 16a is affixed by brackets 15 to column set 200, while vertically separated but corresponding rails 16b are affixed to column set 2012, and another set of rails 16b is attached to the opposite side of column set 20b and correspond witha parallel set 16c affixed to column set 200. By this arrangement, the space between column sets 20 is divided into a series of vertically stacked racks that abut each side of center aisle 5. Each pair of rails 16 supplies a riding surface from its rack to center aisle 5. The spacing between rail pairs of stacked racks is adequate to store a boat, in the manner next described.

Assigned to each rack is a boat car 30 adapted to hold a boat in storage and on its journey to the wharf. As observed in FIGS. 1 and 2, boat car 30 comprises frame 28 mounted'on the axles of four or more wheels that register with rails 16 of its assigned rack. Car 30 is equipped with a braking mechanism, to be described subsequently in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and] 7, and a pair of detachable webstraps 27. Webstraps 27 are adapted to suspend a boat or carry it in sling. As seen in FIG. 2, brackets protrude into the racks sufficiently to support rails 16, but not enough to interfere with the movement of webstraps 27 as they travel with cars 30. Racks are also equipped with plastic sheets 9 to catch water dripping off the respective boats. Each rack is thus high enough to hold a suspended boat and a protective sheet 9.

The marina further includes overhead traveling crane 100 that spans aisle 5. As is best seen in FIG. 3, crane 100 comprises cab station 110, a hoist comprising a pair of double drum winches 8611-8612 and 84a-84b holding cables 85a-85b and 83a-83b, respectively. The crane rests on double flanged wheels 101 that ride overhead track 99 resting on support columns 20. The

with the various racks. The track assembly is kept level by paying out the connecting cable of one drum of each winch from the top while expending the cable from the other drum from the bottom. Drums 86b, 85b expend cable from the top and drums 86a, 84a from the bottom. Consequently, clockwise rotation of shaft 94, as viewed from right to left along its axis in FIG. 3, lowers the four corners of track assembly 70, in even lengths, while clockwise rotation of the shaft raises them evenly.

FIGS. 1-3 show one of the two embodiments of track assembly 70 herein presented. As is best observed in FIGS. 2 and 3, the track assembly comprises a pair of C-shaped members 50-52' holding a track comprising a pair of parallel rails 60a and 60b. Track 60a-60b traverses aisle 5 except for a clearance gap between each of its ends and opposing series of racks. C- members 50-52 have their continuous surfaces topside and coupled to cables 85a-85b and 83a-83b, respectively, and openings facing downward. Rail 60a of track 60 extends between bight portions 50a-52a of like ends of C-member pair and rail 60b extends between bight portions 50b-52b on opposing ends. Track assembly also includes means for transporting boat cars on and off track 60. in the present embodiment of the track assembly, the transport means takes the form of an electrically actuated locomotive 40. Locomotive 40 straddles track 60, its wheels riding rails 60a-60b. Where rails 60a-60b do not afford sufficient driving friction, locomotive 40 has provision for a cog drive through a cog gear that engages the teeth of cog rail 54 located along the outer edges of rails 60a-60b. The locomotive is further equipped with front and back pivoting drawbars 36 for engaging the pivotal handle of the boat car. The two drawbars permit the locomotive to couple to cars in racks on either side of track 60. Drawbars 36 are pivoted by operation of bi-directional linear actuators 37, for instance electrically actuated ball screws, connected between them and the body of the locomotive. Power to locomotive 40 is supplied by cable 106 hanging from station 110. A better perspective of locomotive 40 and its interface with a boat car is offered in FIGS. 5 and 7.

As may be appreciated from N6. 2, the specifications of the rails, C-members, boat cars and locomotive must be coordinated to provide for free movement along track 60. The continous tops of C-members 50-52 must be high enough to clear frame 28 of boat cars 30 and locomotive 40 as they proceed along track 60. Similarly, bights 50a-52a, and 50b-52b must be long enough to support rails 60a-60b, but fall short of interfering with webstraps 27 of the cars holding boats in sling between the rails.

To permit track assembly to be conveyed freely down aisle 5, clearance gaps are provided between the ends of track 60 and the racks on either side of aisle 5. The present embodiment of the track assembly has no provision for moving track 60 as a unit across the aisle for connecting up with the racks. Instead, it provides pivotal extensions 60aa and 60bb on each end of rails 60a and 60!), respectively. These are extended or withdrawn by operation of a bi-directional linear actuators 55, of the kind employed on the drawbar of locomotive 40. An actuator 55 is connected between each extension and the nearest C-member. Operating power is supplied by station 110 through cables 108. When an extension is extended, it bridges the gap between track 60 and a rack.

All control functions herein discussed are performed by an operator manipulating a control unit in station 1 10. As illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 8, control unit receives power from trolley bus line 107 mounted on overhead tracks 99. It operates drive motors 106 and 92 of the crane and hoist, respectively, and operates the drives on linear actuators 37 and 5S, and locomotive 40.

TRANSFER OF BOAT CARS BETWEEN RACKS AND TRACK ASSEMBLY To explain the process of transferring boat cars between racks and the track assembly, as well as additional details of the marina, the invention is described in the context of delivering a boat to the water deck.

To obtain a desired boat, the operator in station 1 10 activates a crane drive motor 106. The crane and track assembly are propelled down the center aisle to a point where one end of track 60 is vertically aligned with the stack of racks containing the desired boat. The operator thereupon lowers track 60 by operation of hoist drive motor 92 until the track is horizontally alinged with track 16 of the assigned rack. Track extensions 60aa-60bb on the side facing the rack are un-folded by linear actuators 55. After some positional adjustment of track 60 to refine the alignment, extensions 60aa-6012b link up with track 16 in a manner to be described. Locomotive 40 is then energized to approach the assigned boat car. When locomotive 40 is close enough, linear actuator 37 is activated so drawbar 36 pivots downward engaging one handle of the car. The downward movement of one handle releases a locking brake on the car. The operator then reverses the drive on the locomotive, gradually backing it up. The boat car is drawn onto track 60 with boat passing in sling between rails 60a and 60b. When the car is completely loaded on track 60, drawbar 36 is Withdrawn by reversing the drive on actuator 37, and the cars handle is released again locking the brake. Reverse drives on actuators 55 withdraw extensions 60aa-60bb and the crane is free to move the track assembly to the water deck. Once over the water, the hoist lowers track 60 until the boat rests in the water whereupon it is freed of webstraps 27 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The crane then returns the empty boat car to its assigned rack following a reverse procedure.

The mechanics of linking tracks 60 and 16 and of loading and unloading boat cars onto and off of the track assembly are specifically treated in FIGS. 4-7. FIG. 4 shows linear actuator 55 extending one of the two extensions of track 60. Extension 60aa rotates about pin 59 in the process of aligning with rail 16b of the rack. At the end of extension 60aa are a pair of pins, alignment pin 61 on its bottom surface and guide .pin 59 on its side. The pins are adapted to cooperate with fittings on the end of each of tracks 16 in the alignment process. The fittings on the end of rail 16b are shown in more detail in FIG. 6. The end of rail 16b is welded to the top surface of L-shaped plate 13, the latter being welded to the top of bracket and to the sides of support column 20b. Plate 13 has aperture 17, preferably slightly oversized and elliptically spaced for receiving pin 61, and three tuliped shaped metallic pieces 21 terminating into flat 19 of plate 13. The spatial relationship between flat l9 and aperture 17 and pins 61 and 59 is such that when guide pin 59 rests on flat 19, alignment pin 61 fits into aperture 17. Thus, as extension 60aa is almost fully extended, guide pin 59 proceeds to fall into the relatively larger top opening of tuliped pieces 21 and thereupon slides into adjustment on or between the surfaces of pieces 21 on its way down toward flat 19. When guide pin 59 finally comes to rest on flat 19, it has guided pin 61 into aperture 17 and extension 60aa is properly aligned with rail 16b. Although not shown, opposite extension 60bb is similarly equipped with a pair of pins which coact with identical fixtures on the end of the other rail of the rack, rail 16c in this case.

FIGS. 5 and 7 show the aligned rails together with additional details of locomotive 40 and boat car 30. Locomotive 40 is shown with body 42 that houses an electrically actuated drive motor for driving wheels 44, and cog gear 46 which is engaged with cog rail 54. A cog gear may not be necessary where there is sufficient friction between wheels 44 and track 60 for pulling and pushing boat cars. This depends on design particulars, such as materials used, weight of boats, cars and locomotive, which are within the competence of those skilled in the art to determine. In FIG. 7, body 42 straddles the gap between rails 60a-60b, and end extensions 60aa-60bb, although only one aligned rail and one side of the locomotive is completely provided. Crossmembers 41 between axle frames 45 and 47 of wheels 44 and cog gear 46, respectively, supply rigidity to the locomotive. Drawbars 36 of the locomotive are adapted to pivot about pins 39 according to the direction of the force translated by linear actuators 37. At the forward end of each drawbar is slot 360 for coupling to handle 26 of boat car 30. The force of drawbar 36 is capable of forcing handle 26 down to produce the results next described.

' Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, mounted between frame 28 and forward wheels 32 of boat car 30 is a spring loaded brake that automatically locks the car from rolling except when handle 26 is depressed. The brake comprises normally compressed spring 31 and brake shoe 33 depressed upon wheel 32. Handle 26 comprises a stiff member with a U-shaped contour at its center and bent to conform to the shape of the front and sides of the car. The member passes through rotary bearings 29 mounted on the front of the car and terminates at brake shoe 33. Although only one side of handle 26 is shown in FIG. 5, it has symmetrical construction so that it connects to a like brakingarrangement and brake shoe on the opposite side of the car. Ordinarily, the force of spring 31 keeps handle 26 up as per FIG. 5, so the brake is locked to prevent the car from rolling. This state of handle and brake exists when car 30 is in storage or after it is loaded on the track assembly and arm of locomotive 40 is withdrawn, as was previously mentioned. However, when the car is to be moved, locomotive arm 36 is rotated downward by actuator 37 to couple with handle 26. The downward force of drawbar 36 causes handle 26 to rotate in bear ings 29 and produce enough upward force on brake shoe 33 to overcome the compressive force of spring 31 and release the brake. The brake remains released as long as drawbar 36 is applied to it.

During loading of the track assembly, locomotive 40 draws a car across the lined-up extensions as is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and l. Webstraps 27 pass through the separation gap between rails 60a-60b. When the boat car is being returned to its rack, either empty or with boat in sling, as when the boat has been re-coupled to its car after use, the foregoing description of the procedures for aligning the two sets of rails and coupling the locomotive to the boat car, as per FIGS. 7 and 1, still hold, except the locomotive is driven by the operator in station to push the car into its rack.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT An alternative embodiment of the track assembly adopts a positional control in the supervision of track 60 from the overhead crane to convey it across aisle 5 for a link-up with any of the racks, and a different form of transport means for wheeling the cars between track 60 and the racks. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, means are provided for developing a net component of horizontal force on track 60 through the use of a pair of diagonally crossing cables 144a and 146a connected between a tension controlling assembly principally composed of units 142, 144 and 146, and C-members 50-52. The tension assembly regulates the tension in crossing cables 144a,- l46a, and functions either to maintain essentially equal tensions in the cables or to create an imbalance between the tensions. Be-

cause the crossing cables form an acute angle A with the horizontal, each exerts a horizontal force on track '60. Cable 144a forces the track from right to left in FIG. 10, while cable 146a exerts a counter force on the track. When the tension regulating assembly maintains equal tensions in the cross-cables, with the track being symmetrically suspended from the tension assembly so that the crossing cables are both at angle A with the horizontal, the respective horizontal forces on track 60 are mutually neutralizing so that no net horizontal comdrums 86a and 840 are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Al-

though the crane is not shown for illustrative simplification, it is understood that the hoist is connected to the crane as shown in FIG. 3 and the tension controlling assembly is also located conveniently on the crane. Since crossng cables 144a and 1460 must be adjusted in length as the height of track 60 is varied by the hoist, means are provided for coordinating the operation of the tension controlling assembly and its manner of varying the length of the crossing cables with the functioning of the hoist. FIG. 9 shows a mechanical link in the form of belt 149 between the tension assembly and hoist shaft 94 that causes the former to properly adjust the length of cables 144a and 146a to follow track 60.

One end of cables 144a and 146a is conveniently attached to the top of C-members 50 and 52. It is noted that to gain mechanical advantage in developing a net horizontal force component, the crossing cables should be connected in the proximity of the ends of track 60. Obviously, attachment to any points symmetrically disposed about the center of the track's length affords the described mutually opposing horizontal forces, however, a location in the proximity of the ends of the track is preferred. The practitioner would, of course, seek a location where the cables do not interfere with movement along the track and that is consistent with maintaining the plane of the track level. Thse features are conveniently afforded by connections points. in the center top of C-members 50-52. As is also observed in FIG. 10, track 60 no longer needs extensions 60aa, 6%]; of FIGS. -7 for the present embodiment has a positional control for bridging the clearance gap between the track and the racks. Alignment pins 61 are still incorporated at the ends of track 60 which register with the ends of rails 16 of the racks. Use of the tuliped pieces 21 are eliminated in this embodiment. Arcuate bumpers 171, attached to columns 20 in the vicinity of rails 16 of the racks, guide the ends of rails 60 into horizontal alignment. Guide pins 59 are spaced back enough to oppose the edges of bumpers 171 so as to act as end stops when alignment pins 61 are positioned over apertures 17. These features of the marina are shown in FIG. 12 and will be discussed in conjunction with the operation of the present track assembly.

The track assembly of FIGS. 9 and 10 employs a transport means embodied in a pair of endless cables 160 riding around two pairs of sheaves 158. Cables 160 rotate along the length of track 60 about an axis perpindicular to its length. Sheaves 158 are rigidly secured to C members 50 and 52. Only two of sheaves 158 and one endless cable are illustrated in the side view of FIG. 10, however, it is understood, as from the partial view of FIG. 11, that an identical pair of sheaves and a second endless cable exist on the far side but unseen side of track 60. These and other features here discussed may be appreciated from FIG. 10 Shafts 156 connect near and far side sheaves 1S8. Endless cables 160 connect near and far sides of bar 154 are driven by drive motors, not shown but controlled by the operator through a pair of drive sheaves 157, one located on the top of C-member 52 at each of its near and far sides and above track 60. Cables 160 and sheaves 157 'and 158 are placed high enough on C-members 50-52 so as not to interfere with boat cars being wheeled on or off the track. The handles of the boat cars are coupled to endless cables 160 by haul bar 154 interconnecting both cables and extending across the width of the track. Haul bar 154 has front and rear draw bars 152 shaped like draw bars 36 of the locomotive of the previous embodiment and similarly manipulated by electrical actuators 153 controlled by the operator. Thus, by opera tion of endless cables 160, draw bars 152 may be moved along the length of track toward either side for linkup with boat cars. By the use of an actuator 153, a draw bar is connected to a handle of a boat car. Actuators 153 allow sufficient positional variation of draw bars 152 along the vertical to release the cars brake. After connection with a car, endless cables 160 are driven in an opposite direction and haul bar 154 wheels the car onto the track.

One form of tension control assembly capable of meeting the sought objectives of regulating the tensions in cables 144a, 146a comprises a variant differential gear assembly. Still referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the differential is mounted on the frame of the crane of FIG. 1 (not shown) and disposed parallel to and in proximity with hoist drive shaft 94. The differential assembly comprises first and second shafts 134a and 134b extending out of housing 142 and holding drums 146 and 144, respectively, carrying cables 146a and 144a. The cables are guided through sheaves 143 to C- members 50 and 52 on opposite sides of the track. Drums 155 and 146 are rigidly secured to the shafts 134b and 134a and one drum, drum 146, pays out its cable from the top while the other, drum 144, expends it from its bottom. By this arrangement, both diagonal cables payout or retrieve cable in equal lengths when shafts 134a and ]34b rotate in opposite directions. Also mounted on shaft 134a, but on bearings to allow rotation relative to the shaft, is grooved pulley wheel 150. Wheel is coupled by belt 149 to pulley wheel 152 of smaller diameter and which is secured to shaft 94 of the hoist. Wheel 150 is also coupled by torsion spring 148 to drum 146. Torque from hoist shaft 94 is ransmitted through wheel 150 and spring 148 directly to drum 146, and through the differential to drum 144. Free action in the differential, however, reverses the phase of the torque imparted on drum 144 relative to drum 146. Freely functioning gears further maintain constant but opposite torque on both drums which, as is subsequently described, provides substantially constant and equal tensions in cables 146a an 144a, when they are expended, or retrieved. This feature precludes a net horizontal force from developing in track 60 while it is being lowered or raised. The expending or retrievel of the diagonal cables is coordinated with operation of the suspension system of the hoist. Thus, when the track is being lowered, hoist shaft 94 rotates in a clockwise direction (viewing along the axis of shaft 94 from right to left in FIGS. 9 and 10), shaft 134a rotates in the same direction by direct action of spring 148; but shaft 134b turns in a counter-clockwise direction because of the differential. While transferring torque, torsion spring 148 makes up for the changing ratio of diagonal to vertical cable takeup need between the highest and lowest positions of track 60. For example, if a speed ratio of 0.55 is used between the hoist take-up cables 85 and 84 and the diagonal take-up of cables 146a-144a, spring 148 should rotate drums 146 and 144 enough to change their cable lengths about 2 feet, probably in less than one turn. This function is readily achieved by a torsion or clocklike spring. Spring 148 is preloaded sufficiently to accommodate full rotation without more than halving its torque.

Internal to housing 142 is an automobile type differential, of the kind described in The Way Things Work, Simon and Schuster, New York (1967), at page 501. As observed in FIG. 12, housing 142 encloses case 138 holding four differential gears 136, two of which are rigidly fastened to corresponding inner ends of shafts 134a and 134b, and crown or bevel ring gear 132 mounted on case 138. Ring gear 132 engages pinion 128 whose shaft protrudes out of housing 142 and terminates in worm gear 127 which meshes with motor controlled 130 single lead worm 125. Lead worm 125 locks pinion 128 except when control motor 130 is activated. The nature of the intercoupling between gears 136 yields torque regulated counter-rotation between shafts 134a and 134b when one of them is torqued and each is free of case 138 (free rotation). The interface between case 138 and shafts l34a,b is bearing mounted to allow such rotation relative to the case. But the shafts may also be locked to the case by the interaction of tubular extension 138a and clutch 139. Extension 1380 is fixed to case 138 and projects out of housing 142 through bearings to join clutch 139 mounted on shaft 134a. Clutch 139 is electrically operated by commands from the operator. When clutch 139 is disen gaged from tubular extension 138a torque on shaft 134a imparted by the action of spring 148 on drum 146 and in response to rotation of hoist shaft 94 is transmitted through gears 136 to shaft l34b with phase reversal. The direct interaction between gears 136 insures that both shafts experience equal magnitudes of torque. Considering the top and bottom cable payouts of drums 144 and 146, the two torques transmit substantially equal tensions in both cross cables 144a and 146a. Thus with clutch 139 disengaged, track 60 is hoisted with no net horizontal force component being exerted on the track to offset its centering in aisle 5.

Upon engagement of clutch 139, however, case 138 becomes locked to shaft 134a by the internal mechanism of the clutch. Both shafts 134a,b are then constrained to rotate with case 138 about the axis of the shafts when the case is driven by control motor 130.

With both shafts constrained to turn in the same direc-' tion and as dictated by the direction of the drive of control motor 130, the existing tension in one of crosscables 146a or 144a is relaxed while the tension in the other is slightly increased. The tension imbalance develops a net horizontal component of force on track 60 so that it translates toward one side of aisle 5 according to the direction of the drive of control motor 130.

The operation of the present embodiment of the track assembly is next described in conjunction with FIGS. 9-11, 13 and 3. After the operator achieves vertical alignment with the stack of racks containing the assigned rack, hoist drive motor 92 is activated to lower track 60 to a desired height l or 2 inches above rails 16 of the rack. While track 60 is being lowered, shaft 94 turns pulley wheel 150 causing spring 148 to torque shafts l34a,b, in opposite directions. Drums 146 and 144 turn at the same rate maintaining essentially equal tensions in cables 146a and 144a while they follow track 60 in its descent. When the track reaches its desired height, clutch 139 is activated and engages tubular extension 138a, locking case 138 to shafts 134a,b. With the differential locked, the operator, through operation of control motor 130, moves the track across the aisle toward the selected rack. With the aid of curved bumpers 171 of FIG. 11, which are mounted on columns 20 of this embodiment in correspondence with each set of tracks 16, tracks 60 a and 60b are guided into horizontal alignment with tracks 16a and 16b, respectively, of the rack. Alignment pins 61 then become located above apertures 17 at the ends of rails l6b,c, whereupon the drive of control motor 130 is terminated. Clutch 139 is then disengaged and hoist drive motor 92 is driven incrementally to lower the track the rest of the way until pins 61 rest in apertures 17.

Drive sheaves 157 of the transport means are activated so cables advance haul bar 154 toward the boat car. When the haul bar is sufficiently close to the car, actuator 153 is energized to lower draw bar 153 until it engages handle 26 of the boat car and unlocks its brake as already described. Thereupon, the direction of the drive on sheaves 157 is reversed and the boat car is drawn out onto track 60, with boat in sling. The operator then decouples draw bar 152 locking the cara brake and then frees the connection between tracks 16 and 60. With clutch 139 decoupled, track 60 is lifted slightly about track 16. Then with the clutch engaged, track 60 is recentered with a reverse drive of control motor 130. The clutch is once more disengaged and the centered track is lifted by operation of hoist motor 92. The operator then moves the track and boat down the center aisle for delivery to the water.

The described marina employing other embodiment of the track assembly allows a single operator to deliver any boat from its rack to the wate in but a few minutes. A typical marina with racks on both sides of the center aisle should have a capacity of fifty to one hundred boats readily available in less time than it would normally take for owners to reach them if they were anchored in harbor. Moreover, boats may be stored more compactly in wet moorings and out of the water thereby making them less susceptible to bottom fouling and corrosion. Empty cars may be stored in their racks, and web straps stored with the car or on the boat, as desired.

As mentioned, the overhead track extends out over the water to allow boats to be lowered into the water and retrieved by the track assembly. The water area may also have suitable docking and wharf facilities, as shown in FIG. 3, to perform the usual functions. The opposite end of overhead track 99 may be similarly extended at the land end of the building to receive boats from trailers for storage or direct deposit into the water. Although the boats have been illustrated throughout as being stored endwise in the racks, they may be placed sidewise. Specifications may still be arranged for the track assembly, racks and boat cars to permit the cars to carry the boats in sling and off of the track assembly without interference.

Modifications of apparatus herein described will occur to persons skilled in the art and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A dry sail marina for storing boats carried by wheeled boat cars, comprising:

an aisle, a series of racks abutting at least one side of said aisle each rack adapted to store one of said cars and having a first track leading to said aisle adapted to register with said wheels of said stored car, a second track following the course of said aisle, a raveling crane for riding on said second including a hoist, a track assembly suspended by said hoist comprising a pair of spaced C-shaped members with downward facing openings carrying a third track alignable with said first track and adapted to register with said wheels of said cars, means for connecting said third track to said first rack of said racks including positional means for translating said suspended track assembly across said aisle, transport means adapted to travel along said third track, and engage with said cars and wheel said cars from said racks onto said third rack and from said track into said racks, and wherein said positional means comprises first and second diagonal cables each connected to said track assembly at points so as to exert opposing horizontal components of force on said track assembly when said cables are under tension, a pair of drums coupled to said crane for supplying varying lengths of said first and second cables to follow said track assembly as the height of said track assembly is varied by said hoist, and torquing means operatively associated with said drums for torquing said drums to maintain tensions in said cables as the height of said track assembly is varied with neutralizing horizontal force components for keeping said track assembly centered in said aisle, and means for creating an imbalance in said horizontal force components for said translating of said track assembly.

2. The marina of claim 1 further comprising a boat car on said first track of each of said racks and detachable straps coupled to said car for carrying a boat in slings from said car and below the level of said third track and for releasing said boat upon detachment.

3. A dry sail marina as defined in claim 2 wherein said transport means comprises an endless cable adapted to rotate along the length of said third track, said cable including means for engaging said boat cars and adapted to wheel them along said third track.

4. A dry sail marina for storing boats, comprising, an aisle, a series of stacked racks abutting at least one side of said aisle having a first track leading to said aisle, a wheeled boat car adapted to carry a boat along said first track, an overhead second track following the course of said aisle, a traveling crane riding on said second track including a hoist having a motor driven hoist shaft holding hoisting cables, a track assembly suspended by said hoist cables comprising a third track adapted to register with said wheels of said car and an endless cable rotatable along the length of said third track and about an axis perpendicular to said length,

said cable adapted to engage said car and wheel it from said racks onto said third track and from said third track onto said first tracks at said racks, positional means for conveying said third track across said aisle comprising tension controlling means comprising a differential gear assembly comprising first and second shafts terminating in a set of differential gears housed in a case rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said shafts, a clutch coupling said case to said first shaft and adapted when activated to lock said case to said first shaft whereupon said first and second shafts rotate with said case when said case is turned, and when said clutch is de-activated said differential gears are adapted to rotate said shafts in opposite directions when one of them is torqued, means for turning said case, first and second drums carrying cables rigidly mounted on said first and second shafts, said cables expended from the top of one drum and the bottom of the other, said cables connected diagonally crosswise and at an acute angle A each to one side of the center of the length of said third track, a first pulley wheel rotatably mounted on said first shaft, a torsion spring connected between said first drum and said first pulley, means coupling said first pulley wheel to said hoist shaft and said diagonal cables expended from said first and second drums in a manner to lengthen said cables when said hoist lowers said third track and to shorten said cables when said third track is raised by said hoist.

5. In a dry sail marina having a water-area where boats may be lowered for inwater use communicating with an aisle, and a storage area having a plurality of racks disposed orthogonal to said aisle each rack defining a storage space and having a first pair of spaced rails leading to said aisle, an overhead crane for traveling said aisle between selected ones of said racks and said water-area, a hoist mounted on said crane with means for driving said hoist, a track assembly including a second pair of spaced nails held by a support structure suspended by said hoist, and means for connecting said second rail pair with said first rail pair upon their alignment, and transport means for moving a boat car between said first and said second rail pairs upon said connection, the improvement comprising, in combination with said marina of:

a wheeled boat car resting on each of said first rail pairs of said racks,

at least one detachable strap coupled to each of said cars for holding a boat in slings in the vertical plane of said spacings of said first and second rail pairs and below the level of said second rail pair, and for releasing said boat upon detachment, and wherein said support structure is arranged to provide traveling clearance for said boat car and detachable strap with slung boat, and

wherein said connecting means includes positional means coupled to said crane and said track assembly for moving said track assembly across said aisle comprising first and secnd diagonal cables each connected to said track assembly at points so as to exert opposing horizontal components of force on said track assembly when said cables are under tension, a pair of drums operatively mounted on said crane for supplying varying lengths of said first and second cables to follow said track assembly as its height is varied by said hoist, and torquing means operatively coupled to said drums for torquing said drums to maintain take-up tension in said cables as the height of said track assembly is varied having neturalizing horizontal force components for keeping said track assembly centered in said aisle, and means for creating an imbalance in said force components for said moving of said track assembly across said aisle.

6. A dry sail marina as set out in cliam wherein said transport means comprises an endless cable rotatably mounted on said track assembly and includes means for driving said cable and means for engaging said boat cars whereby said cars may be moved between said storage space and said track assembly.

7. A dry sail marina for storing boats carried by wheeled boat cars comprising;

a plurality of racks abutting an aisle each rack defining a space for storing one of said cars and having a first pair of parallel rails leading to said aisle,

a traveling crane for riding a track following said aisle and including a hoist with means for driving said hoist for varying the height of a track assembly,

a track assembly suspended by said hoist comprising a pair of spaced C-shaped members each with downward facing openings and opposing bight portions, and a second pair of parallel rails alignable with said first rail pair and supported by said bight portions of said C-members, means for connecting said second rail pair with said first rail pair including positional means for moving said track assembly across said aisle comprising first and second diagonal cables connected to said track assembly so as to exert neutralizing horizontal components of force on said track assembly when said cables have essentially equal tensions, and a variant differential gear assembly coupled to said crane including first and second oppositely dispensing drums for equally adjusting the lengths of said first and second diagonal cables respectively, so as to follow said height variations of said track assembly, a case holding a set of differential gears intercoupling first and second oppositely rotatable shafts rotatably mounted through said case and holding the correspondingly numbered one of said drums, a clutch for locking said case to at least one of said shafts whereby said shafts may be turned as a unit with said case for creating a tension imbalance in said diagonal cables for said moving of said track assembly across said aisle, and means for turning said case about the axis of said shafts, a wheel rotatably mounted on said first shaft, a torsion spring coupled between said wheel and said first drum for torquing said first drum upon the relative angular displacement of said wheel and said first drum, means for coupling said wheel to said drive means of said hoist so as to rotate said wheel as said hoist varies the height of said track assembly, whereby an initial torsion preload on said spring may introduce sufficient tension bias in said diagonal cables to maintain equal tensions in said diagonal cables as said height of said track assembly is varied, and

transport means adapted to travel along said second rail pair and engage with said cars and wheel them between said first and second rail pairs.

8. In a dry sail marina having a plurlity of storage racks each equipped with a first track leading to an aisle, a traveling crane for riding a second track following said aisle and having a hoist with hoist cables suspending a support structure from said crane holding a third track alignable with said first track and means for driving said hoist so as to vary the height of said third track for communication with said first tracks of said racks, positional means for translating said third track across said aisle comprising;

first and second diagonal cables connected to said support structure so as to exert neutralizing components of force on said support structure when said cables have essentially equal tensions, and a variant differential gear assembly coupled to said crane including first and second oppositely dispensing drums for equally adjusting the lengths of said first and second diagonal cables, respectively, so as to follow said height variations of said support structure, a case holding a set of differential gears intercoupling first and second oppositely rotatable shafts rotatably mounted through said case and holding the correspondingly numbered one of said drums, a clutch for locking said case to at least one of said shafts whereby said shafts may be turned as a unit with said case for creating a tension imbalance in said diagonal cables for said translation of said third track, and means for turning said case about the axis of said shafts, a wheel rotatably mounted on said first shaft, a torsion spring coupled between said wheel and said first drum for torquing said fist drum upon the relative angular displacement of said wheel an said first drum, means for coupling said wheel to said drive means of said hoist so as to rotate said wheel as said hoist varies the height of said third track, whereby an initial torsion preload on said spring may introduce sufficient tension bias in said diagonal cables to maintain equal tensions in said diagonal cables as said height of said third track is varied. 

1. A dry sail marina for storing boats carried by wheeled boat cars, comprising: an aisle, a series of racks abutting at least one side of said aisle each rack adapted to store one of said cars and having a first track leading to said aisle adapted to register with said wheels of said stored car, a second track following the course of said aisle, a raveling crane for riding on said second including a hoist, a track assembly suspended by said hoist comprising a pair of spaced C-shaped members with downward facing openings carrying a third track alignable with said first track and adapted to register with said wheels of said cars, means for connecting said third track to said first rack of said racks including positional means for translating said suspended track assembly across said aisle, transport means adapted to travel along said third track and engage with said cars and wheel said cars from said racks onto said third rack and from said track into said racks, and wherein said positional means comprises first and second diagonal cables each connected to said track assembly at points so as to exert opposing horizontal components of force on said track assembly when said cables are under tension, a pair of drums coupled to said crane for supplying varying lengths of said first and second cables to follow said track assembly as the height of said track assembly is varied by said hoist, and torquing means operatively associated with said drums for torquing said drums to maintain tensions in said cables as the height of said track assembly is varied with neutralizing horizontal force components for keeping said track assembly centered in said aisle, and means for creating an imbalance in said horizontal force components for said translaTing of said track assembly.
 2. The marina of claim 1 further comprising a boat car on said first track of each of said racks and detachable straps coupled to said car for carrying a boat in slings from said car and below the level of said third track and for releasing said boat upon detachment.
 3. A dry sail marina as defined in claim 2 wherein said transport means comprises an endless cable adapted to rotate along the length of said third track, said cable including means for engaging said boat cars and adapted to wheel them along said third track.
 4. A dry sail marina for storing boats, comprising, an aisle, a series of stacked racks abutting at least one side of said aisle having a first track leading to said aisle, a wheeled boat car adapted to carry a boat along said first track, an overhead second track following the course of said aisle, a traveling crane riding on said second track including a hoist having a motor driven hoist shaft holding hoisting cables, a track assembly suspended by said hoist cables comprising a third track adapted to register with said wheels of said car and an endless cable rotatable along the length of said third track and about an axis perpendicular to said length, said cable adapted to engage said car and wheel it from said racks onto said third track and from said third track onto said first tracks at said racks, positional means for conveying said third track across said aisle comprising tension controlling means comprising a differential gear assembly comprising first and second shafts terminating in a set of differential gears housed in a case rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said shafts, a clutch coupling said case to said first shaft and adapted when activated to lock said case to said first shaft whereupon said first and second shafts rotate with said case when said case is turned, and when said clutch is de-activated said differential gears are adapted to rotate said shafts in opposite directions when one of them is torqued, means for turning said case, first and second drums carrying cables rigidly mounted on said first and second shafts, said cables expended from the top of one drum and the bottom of the other, said cables connected diagonally crosswise and at an acute angle A each to one side of the center of the length of said third track, a first pulley wheel rotatably mounted on said first shaft, a torsion spring connected between said first drum and said first pulley, means coupling said first pulley wheel to said hoist shaft and said diagonal cables expended from said first and second drums in a manner to lengthen said cables when said hoist lowers said third track and to shorten said cables when said third track is raised by said hoist.
 5. In a dry sail marina having a water-area where boats may be lowered for inwater use communicating with an aisle, and a storage area having a plurality of racks disposed orthogonal to said aisle each rack defining a storage space and having a first pair of spaced rails leading to said aisle, an overhead crane for traveling said aisle between selected ones of said racks and said water-area, a hoist mounted on said crane with means for driving said hoist, a track assembly including a second pair of spaced nails held by a support structure suspended by said hoist, and means for connecting said second rail pair with said first rail pair upon their alignment, and transport means for moving a boat car between said first and said second rail pairs upon said connection, the improvement comprising, in combination with said marina of: a wheeled boat car resting on each of said first rail pairs of said racks, at least one detachable strap coupled to each of said cars for holding a boat in slings in the vertical plane of said spacings of said first and second rail pairs and below the level of said second rail pair, and for releasing said boat upon detachment, and wherein said support structure is arranged to provide traveling clearance for said boat car and detaChable strap with slung boat, and wherein said connecting means includes positional means coupled to said crane and said track assembly for moving said track assembly across said aisle comprising first and secnd diagonal cables each connected to said track assembly at points so as to exert opposing horizontal components of force on said track assembly when said cables are under tension, a pair of drums operatively mounted on said crane for supplying varying lengths of said first and second cables to follow said track assembly as its height is varied by said hoist, and torquing means operatively coupled to said drums for torquing said drums to maintain take-up tension in said cables as the height of said track assembly is varied having neturalizing horizontal force components for keeping said track assembly centered in said aisle, and means for creating an imbalance in said force components for said moving of said track assembly across said aisle.
 6. A dry sail marina as set out in cliam 5 wherein said transport means comprises an endless cable rotatably mounted on said track assembly and includes means for driving said cable and means for engaging said boat cars whereby said cars may be moved between said storage space and said track assembly.
 7. A dry sail marina for storing boats carried by wheeled boat cars comprising; a plurality of racks abutting an aisle each rack defining a space for storing one of said cars and having a first pair of parallel rails leading to said aisle, a traveling crane for riding a track following said aisle and including a hoist with means for driving said hoist for varying the height of a track assembly, a track assembly suspended by said hoist comprising a pair of spaced C-shaped members each with downward facing openings and opposing bight portions, and a second pair of parallel rails alignable with said first rail pair and supported by said bight portions of said C-members, means for connecting said second rail pair with said first rail pair including positional means for moving said track assembly across said aisle comprising first and second diagonal cables connected to said track assembly so as to exert neutralizing horizontal components of force on said track assembly when said cables have essentially equal tensions, and a variant differential gear assembly coupled to said crane including first and second oppositely dispensing drums for equally adjusting the lengths of said first and second diagonal cables respectively, so as to follow said height variations of said track assembly, a case holding a set of differential gears intercoupling first and second oppositely rotatable shafts rotatably mounted through said case and holding the correspondingly numbered one of said drums, a clutch for locking said case to at least one of said shafts whereby said shafts may be turned as a unit with said case for creating a tension imbalance in said diagonal cables for said moving of said track assembly across said aisle, and means for turning said case about the axis of said shafts, a wheel rotatably mounted on said first shaft, a torsion spring coupled between said wheel and said first drum for torquing said first drum upon the relative angular displacement of said wheel and said first drum, means for coupling said wheel to said drive means of said hoist so as to rotate said wheel as said hoist varies the height of said track assembly, whereby an initial torsion preload on said spring may introduce sufficient tension bias in said diagonal cables to maintain equal tensions in said diagonal cables as said height of said track assembly is varied, and transport means adapted to travel along said second rail pair and engage with said cars and wheel them between said first and second rail pairs.
 8. In a dry sail marina having a plurlity of storage racks each equipped with a first track leading to an aisle, a traveling crane for riding a second track following said aisle and having a hoist with hoist cables suspending a Support structure from said crane holding a third track alignable with said first track and means for driving said hoist so as to vary the height of said third track for communication with said first tracks of said racks, positional means for translating said third track across said aisle comprising; first and second diagonal cables connected to said support structure so as to exert neutralizing components of force on said support structure when said cables have essentially equal tensions, and a variant differential gear assembly coupled to said crane including first and second oppositely dispensing drums for equally adjusting the lengths of said first and second diagonal cables, respectively, so as to follow said height variations of said support structure, a case holding a set of differential gears intercoupling first and second oppositely rotatable shafts rotatably mounted through said case and holding the correspondingly numbered one of said drums, a clutch for locking said case to at least one of said shafts whereby said shafts may be turned as a unit with said case for creating a tension imbalance in said diagonal cables for said translation of said third track, and means for turning said case about the axis of said shafts, a wheel rotatably mounted on said first shaft, a torsion spring coupled between said wheel and said first drum for torquing said fist drum upon the relative angular displacement of said wheel an said first drum, means for coupling said wheel to said drive means of said hoist so as to rotate said wheel as said hoist varies the height of said third track, whereby an initial torsion preload on said spring may introduce sufficient tension bias in said diagonal cables to maintain equal tensions in said diagonal cables as said height of said third track is varied. 